Description
Fiery Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Jalapenos blend spicy peppers with succulent seafood in a classic Southern-style appetizer. Creole seasonings and creamy cheese create an irresistible flavor profile perfect for game day or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- ½ lb (225 g) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (50 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup (30 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp green onions, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Parmesan cheese, sprinkled (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to a searing 400F (200C), lining a baking sheet with parchment or foil for seamless cooking.
- Jalapeño Transformation: Bisect jalapeños lengthwise, extracting seeds and membranes to create pristine flavor vessels.
- Shrimp Infusion: In a skillet, sauté shrimp with Cajun seasoning and garlic in olive oil until the seafood turns opaque and succulent, then allow to cool momentarily.
- Filling Composition: Merge sautéed shrimp with cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and green onions, seasoning with salt and black pepper to orchestrate a harmonious flavor profile.
- Stuffing and Arrangement: Lavishly fill each jalapeño half with the shrimp-cheese fusion, gently pressing to ensure complete coverage, then position on the prepared baking sheet.
- Culinary Finale: Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts into a golden landscape and jalapeños reach tender perfection. Embellish with fresh parsley, green onions, or Parmesan, serving immediately to capture peak flavor intensity.
Notes
- Manage Pepper Heat: Remove all seeds and membranes carefully to reduce spiciness, making the dish more accessible for those with lower heat tolerance.
- Shrimp Cooking Precision: Avoid overcooking shrimp; watch for opaque color and slight curl to maintain tender, juicy texture without becoming rubbery.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and even distribution throughout the filling, ensuring a creamy consistency.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular cheese with low-fat or dairy-free alternatives for health-conscious guests, maintaining the recipe’s bold Cajun flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg